ESOL Teaching in Sixth Form

We have a dedicated ESOL department that provides extra support to international students and we offers a range of study programmes for pupils learning English.

We can prepare our Sixth Form pupils to take a wide range of internationally recognised qualifications such as the Cambridge Board international exams, IELTS and SATs. You can find out more about our ESOL qualifications here.

The department is run by Ms Ingrid Evers-Jones, our ESOL Co-ordinator, whose approach is very flexible and student-orientated. She explains: “The level of academic and pastoral support we give to overseas students is very high. We understand the difficulties they often experience away from home, whether they are from Europe or further afield. Nothing is taken for granted and we have a sympathetic and caring approach. We recognise that overseas students play an extremely important part in all aspects of school life and they are given every encouragement to participate in, and benefit from, both mainstream and ESOL study programmes.”

ESOL Study Options

Objective: to enable students for whom English is not their first language to gain an insight into the workings of a real British school, whilst developing their English skills and gaining ESOL qualifications if they want to.

What it involves: In addition to English lessons and support from a dedicated ESOL teacher, pupils will follow a general curriculum including subjects such as maths, geography, history, art and music, alongside native speakers. We can prepare your daughter for a range of ESOL examinations and qualifications if you wish.

Who it is for?: Pupils of all ages including Sixth Formers, but ideal for younger learners aged 9-14, who want to gain an initial insight into studying English in the UK. The programme is tailored to the individual’s requirements.

How long does it last?: We are flexible on the length of stays but girls must stay for a minimum of half a term (approximately 6 weeks). However, in order to gain the most benefit from the experience a minimum of a one-term stay is recommended. (One term is approximately 10-12 weeks). If your daughter wants to gain Cambridge ESOL qualifications, their stay must coincide with the Cambridge Board’s examinations which are held in December, March and June every year. We are able to arrange transport to Cambridge for your daughter to take the exams.

Cost:Full time boarding fees plus ESOL lessons charged at £39.00 per hour (individual lessons). The cost of lessons is pro-rata if more than one pupil attends.

2) Full-time AS and A Level study (long term study option)

International girls can join us in the Sixth Form at age 16 for full-time study. Your daughter will select their A Level options (generally four subjects) and will follow the curriculum with native speakers in their year group. After the first year they should gain their AS Level qualifications and at the end of the second year they will sit their A Level qualifications enabling them to continue onto university if they wish.

International pupils will receive English lessons and support from our dedicated ESOL Co-ordinator, Mrs Ingrid Evers-Jones, as required. She will make an initial assessment when your daughter arrives at our school and devise an individual learning plan depending on the level of English support needed. This will be constantly reviewed and assessed during your daughter’s time at our school.

3) 3-Year A Level (long term study option)

Objective: To enable students for whom English is not their first language to consolidate their English skills, before embarking on internationally recognised ESOL qualifications and AS and A-Level qualifications.

What it involves:

Year 1: Foundation Initial assessment and individual learning plan established; one-to-one ESOL teaching per week; preparation for ESOL qualifications which could include Cambridge ESOL (PET) for example; opportunity to study a general curriculum alongside native speakers; introduction to AS level courses.

Year 2: Year 12. One-to-one ESOL teaching per week; preparation for ESOL qualifications which could include Cambridge ESOL (FCE); AS Level tuition and preparation for AS Level examinations in June.

Year 3: Year 13. One-to-one ESOL teaching per week; preparation for university entrance ESOL qualifications, IELTS, SATS or other; careers advice and individual guidance with university applications, A Level tuition and preparation for A Level examinations in June.

Who it is suitable for?: Pupils aged 16-18 (n.b. there is some flexibility on age) who want to gain internationally recognised ESOL, AS and A Level qualifications and progress to university study.

4) iGCSEs (one year study option)

We also run a small range of iGCSEs in English, maths, science, arts and modern languages according to demand. iGCSEs are an intensive one-year study programme. Studying iGCSEs is generally suitable for international pupils aged 16-18, who are in the first year of the three-year A Level programme. iGCSEs can also be studied alongside AS Levels and A Levels depending on what subjects the pupil is studying and how many subjects they plan to take at A Level.